Southern Cross Care provides specialist mental health services for the aged and other adults, either at home or in one of our specialist programs:

• At home mental health services
• Community Options Program
• Mental Health High Dependency Units for the Aged

At Home Mental Health Services

As an important part of our at-home services, Southern Cross Care provides essential support for people who have a mental illness and their carers. Our ‘Maintain Your Mental Health’ service will support you to live independently and engage in your local community. This service is customised to meet your specific needs enabling you to maintain and further develop life skills. The range of services can include, but are not limited to the following:

• Access to activities of interest in your local community
• Help with, and planning, for daily activities
• Companionship during outings
• Assistance with appointments
• Carer support and respite

These specialised services are available through referral from mental health clinics or private
psychiatrists in the north and south metropolitan areas.

For more information contact our Community Services Division on 9282 9966.

Community Options Program

Southern Cross Care in pleased to partner with the WA Mental Health Commission in running the Community Options program at three sites – Mt Claremont, Stirling and Bentley.

An initiative of the State Mental Health Division, the community Options Program provides accommodation options to individuals who require support to live an active life in the community. Community Options is designed to provide individuals with community living in order for them to develop links with the wider community for a more fulfilled and sustainable lifestyle.

Since starting the program in 2009, Southern Cross Care has had wonderful success in providing a safe, supportive environment to a number of individuals who have had long histories of institutionalisation.  Community Options has provided these people with the sense of “home” and effective engagement in day to day life, even for some part-time employment.

Community Options - Bentley House
1182 Albany Hwy BENTLEY WA 6102

Phone 1: 9358 0404
Phone 2: 9358 6037
Fax: 9458 7821

Community Options - Mt Claremont
60 Mooro Drive MT CLAREMONT WA 6010

Phone 1: 9282 9996
Phone 2: 9282 9998
Fax: 9284 2548

Community Options - Stirling
4 & 6 Limosa Close STIRLING WA 6021

Phone 1: 9282 9979
Phone 2: 9282 9970
Mobile: 0427 153 691
Fax: 9446 7313

Mental Health High Dependency Units

Established in partnership with the WA Mental Health Commission, Southern Cross Care runs the only two Mental Health High Dependency Units for the aged in Western Australia.

Situated at our wonderful facilities in Success and Shelley, the Units are designed and staff to support the elderly with behavioral problems associated with chronic mental disorders and/or advanced dementia, which prevent them from being accepted into and managed by mainstream nursing homes. Such behaviour will include, but is not limited to:

• unpredictability in mood and behaviours;
• physical and verbal aggression which can be exacerbated when receiving personal care;
• sleep disturbances;
• refusing medication;
• abusive to staff and other residents;
• agitation, anxiety, noisy outbursts, high-pitched screaming for long periods, low frustration levels, intrusive behaviour and disturbance of other residents;
• sexually disinhibited behaviour; and
• delusions and psychotic behaviour.

Referrals for this service are made through a range of specialist units in conjunction with the WA Mental Health Commission. For more information on this service please contact Frank Prendergast House or Margaret Hubery House.